1881 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

in her. (1 John 2:27.) Why was the church anointed? The wordanswers--that she might share with her Lord in the present timethe dishonor and sacrifice and in the coming age of glory bejoined with him in glory and power. And more --as he was"anointed to preach the good news" so must we, his body, beanointed to preach the same gospel with its same two parts--viz.:that for the world--freedom--restitution through ransom and aresurrection; and for the little flock who follow the Lamb--thekingdom, through the ransom and consecration.This is all of it, just what it is called --"good news." It is whatthe apostles preached--"that there shall be a resurrection of thedead both of the just and unjust." (Acts 24:15.) They "preachedthrough Jesus (because of the ransom he had paid) theresurrection from the dead." (Acts 4:2 and 17; 17:32; and 23:6.)The news was so new to them and so good that the Phariseesand religious teachers could not believe it to be true; they hadbecome so accustomed to binding on mankind burdens whichthey did not help to remove, (Matt. 23:4) that though thecommon people "wondered at the gracious words (words of loveand promises of release from death,) which proceeded out of hismouth," the church authorities were "grieved." Thus it still isand ever will be--the preaching of the cross and its value as theprice of the peace of all sinners, has always been to all but thoseanointed to preach it--"foolishness."WHO ARE TO PREACH?We answer all who receive of the anointing spirit and are thusrecognized as members of the body of Christ (the anointed.) Ofeach member it is true as of the head--"He hath anointed me topreach the gospel." We have each gifts and talents differingfrom the other and none of us are like our head, perfect, but eachis responsible for such and so much preaching as he can do.Some can preach to multitudes; others to the twos and threes;others from house to house; others can drop a word in season;others can distribute tracts; others can give of the consecratedmoney entrusted to their stewardship to help others preach.Some can do several of these things, and some can do all ofthem, and all can and should preach by their life and customs thepower of the good news to transform, for we are all livingepistles, known and read of all men.Are you preaching? We believe that none will be of the littleflock except preachers. Are you preaching with all your talentsand all your might? If so, you will by-and-by hear the words:"Well done good and faithful!" If not, begin now; remember thatyou consecrated your all before you were anointed, and now youcannot be an overcomer and keep back part of the price. (Acts5:4.) Paul says: "Ye know your calling, brethren." Yes, we werecalled to suffer with him and to proclaim the good news now,that in due time we might be glorified and perform the things